Woodbridge Teen's Jewelry Business is a Blessing to Area Animals

Olivia Castro of Woodbridge has always loved animals. The 12-year old Amity Middle School student has two dogs, rides horses and hopes to be a veterinarian, and when she decided she wanted to find a way to help animals at Woodbridge Animal Control (WAC,) her mom, Danielle, jumped right in to help.

The pair started a business called “How Charming! By Olivia” making jewelry out of beads and glass, and this past holiday season donated a percentage of their earnings to WAC. The mother/daughter team brought their creations to several craft shows and according to Danielle, when they told their customers they were donating some of the proceeds to the shelter, people were more than generous.

Olivia recently presented the animal control officers with a check for $123.

Animal Control Officer Karen Lombardi said she and her co-worker, Paul Niedmann, were thrilled.

“It is incredibly kind and generous and appreciated,” Lombardi said. “We always use donations to provide things for the animals that we normally wouldn’t be able to give them. We want to express our gratitude to anyone who makes a donation.”

Lombardi said they were delighted with the gift from the Castros. She said while the economy has made it hard for many to donate, some people, like Danielle and Olivia, have helped to make up the difference. Others have gone out of their way to help, as well.

“Dr. Gary Ross [a Bethany dentist] set up a corner in his reception area where he collected pet food and money for the shelter,” Lombardi said. “We were able to buy a heat lamp for when we have puppies and a variety of other things we needed without having to burden the town.”

For more information on how you can help, contact Woodbridge Animal Shelter, 135 Bradley Road, Woodbridge, (203) 389-5991. For information on the Castro’s jewelry, visit www.howcharmingbyolivia.com.